January 7, 2020


   BANNER COUNTY

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Equalization met in regular session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on January 7, 2020. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the December 17, 2019, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE at the Post Office, the Banner County School, at the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse.  Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk.  A copy was emailed to each board member on January 3, 2020.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:30 a.m. Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert J. Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, Attorney; Bernice Huffman, Assessor; Greg Harshberger; Lisa Cross, County Clerk.  Also present at various times:  Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Toney Krajewski.

The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined, and Sandberg moved to approve as presented. Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Sandberg moved to approve the minutes for December 17, 2019, and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Post, yes; Gifford, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE None  

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD -Item #1 – None

Gifford made a motion to adjourn the Banner County Board of Equalization meeting at 8:44 a.m. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes.

The next meeting will be held in regular session on January 21, 2020, or at the call of the clerk.  A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.                                                                          

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

BANNER COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS  PROCEEDINGS  

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on January 7, 2020.  This is in accordance with the adjournment of the December 17, 2019, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse.  Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.  

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk.  A copy was emailed to each board member on January 3, 2020.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.  

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:45 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert J. Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, County Attorney; Bernice Huffman, Assessor; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Toney Krajewski, Greg Harshberger; Lisa Cross, Clerk; and at various times Carl Gilbert, County Surveyor; Stan McKnight, Banner County Sheriff.  

The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.  

The agenda was examined and Sandberg moved to approve as presented with the addition of an emergency item to sign loan papers for the Sheriff’s pickup. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.  

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Gifford moved to approve the minutes for December 17, 2019, and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Sandberg, yes.    

CORRESPONDENCE –   Panhandle Public Health District designated January as National Radon Action Month.  

Emergency Management stated that all current members of the Advisory Board shall have a proxy to represent them in the case of their absence.  The letter talked about the bylaws and importance of attendance.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None  

CLAIMS The following claims were audited, and Sandberg moved that the claims be approved and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes; Post, yes.    

General

BANNER COUNTY COURT                                CC COST                                                   $         68.00

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD                                     HEALTH INS                                               $   14,930.28

COLONIAL LIFE                                                        HEALTH INS TRUST                                 $          29.48

COUNTRY PRINTER                                                  SUPPLIES                                                    $        146.00

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES                                          LODGING                                                    $        219.90

FIRST CONCORD BENEFITS GROUP, LLC             HEALTH INS                                                $          48.28

FRENCHMAN VALLEY COOP                                  FUEL                                                            $        105.89

HAMPTON INN/KEARNEY                                        LODGING                                                    $     1,099.50

IDEAL LINEN SUPPLY                                               JANITORAL SUP                                         $        207.35

MCI                                                                       PHONE                                                        $          94.47

STAN MCKNIGHT                                                      MEALS                                                        $             7.12

MIPS INC                                                                     DATA PROCESS                                        $     1,904.26

NATIONAL SHERIFF'S ASSOC.                                DUES                                                           $          65.00

NE DISTRICT COURT CLERK'S ASSOC                   DUES                                                            $          50.00

NORTH PLATTE NRD                                                WATER                                                        $          35.57

PANHANDLE ASSOC OF CO ASSESSORS       DUES                                                           $          75.00

PANHANDLE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION                   DUES                                                            $        350.00

THE PEETZ FARMERS COOP CO.                            HEATING FUEL                                           $        586.51

POSTMASTER                                                             P C POSTAGE                                            $          70.00

STAPLES CREDIT PLAN                                             SUPPLIES                                                    $          93.15

US BANK                                                                      MILEAGE                                                    $        172.76

VERIZON WIRELESS                                                   TELEPHONE                                       $          76.86

WATCHGUARD VIDEO                                               EQUIPMENT                                             $     4,795.00

DONALD D WILSON                                                    AUDIT                                                        $     8,495.28

WOLF AUTOMOTIVE INC                                            SHERIFF PICKUP                                       $   12,000.00  

General Total                                                                                                                                    $   45,725.66

Road

CONTRACTORS MATERIALS, INC.                      SHOP SUPPLIES                                      $        153.00

CRESCENT ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO.                    SHOP SUPPLIES                                      $        109.00

FIRST CONCORD BENEFITS GROUP, LLC         HEALTH INS                                             $        396.16

FLOYD'S SALES & SERVICE                                        REPAIR PARTS                                         $        107.51

FRANK PARTS COMPANY                                   REPAIR PARTS                                          $        319.51

FRENCHMAN VALLEY COOP                              EQUIP FUEL                                              $     8,077.53

IDEAL LINEN SUPPLY                                           SHOP SUPPLIES                                       $          23.72

INHERITANCE TAX FUND                                           MTRGRDR REPYMT                                 $   22,500.00

INLAND TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE                    REPAIR PARTS                                  $        143.02

KIMBALL AUTO PARTS, LLC                                SHOP SUPPLIES                                       $     3,610.57

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                                     SHOP SUPPLIES                                       $        261.06

MOTOR FUELS DIVISION                                      QTRLY FUEL TAX                                     $        311.00

NORTH PLATTE NRD                                            WATER                                                        $          42.85

THE PEETZ FARMERS COOP CO.                        HEATING FUEL                                         $        542.62

POWERPLAN                                                          REPAIRS                                                      $     3,867.81

VERIZON WIRELESS                                              TELEPHONE                                      $          22.26

WYOMING BEARING AND SUPPLY                     REPAIRS                                                     $          26.58

Road Total                                                                                                                                        $   53,845.30  

 P & M     

 MIPS INC                                                                       NE ONLINE DEED                                       $          91.70                                                            

 Item #2 – Discussion and possible action of the Generator Grant – There was discussion about the County’s options on who can write the grant and items that should be included in the grant.  

 Item #3 – Discussion and possible action on declaring the 1989 road grader as surplus -Gifford made the motion to declare the 1989 road grader as surplus.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.  

Item #4 – Discussion and possible action on selling the 1989 road grader and selling the backhoe (previously deemed surplus) – Gifford made the motion to take sealed bids on the 1989 road grader and on the back hoe.  Bids will be received until January 21, 2020 at 9:00.  Bids will be opened at 9:30 on January 21, 2020. Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.  

Item #5 – Discussion and possible action on the bid from Thompson Glass for the counter safety glass – After discussion about the counter safety glass and the County’s needs for safety, this item was tabled.  

Item #6 – Discussion and possible action on the process of receiving fuel bids – It was discussed when advertising for the fuel bids, what needed to be put in the bid and what information to include in the advertisement.   

Item #7 – Discussion and possible action on the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Annual Report of a Livestock Friendly County – Bob Gifford will complete the annual report.  

Item #8 – Discussion and possible action on the approval of the Independent Auditor Report for June 30, 2019 – Gifford made the motion to approve the Independent Auditor Report for June 30, 2019.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.  

Item #9 – Reorganization – Sandberg made the motion to keep the officers the same on the Banner County Board of Commissioners.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.  

Item #10 – Appoint officials to various offices – Sandberg made the motion to approve the following list.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes

County Safety Director – Tom Neal

Aging Office of Western Nebraska – Sharon Sandberg, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Office of Aging Advisory Board – Sandy Beals

Region One Behavioral Health Authority – Robert Post, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Region One Office of Human Development & Panhandle Development Disabilities Serv., Inc – Robert Gifford

Public Health District – Robert Gifford

Emergency Management Board – Robert Gifford, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Safety Committee – Sharon Sandberg

NIRMA Contact Person – Lisa Cross Personnel

Policy Committee – Jennifer Reinninger, Sharon Sandberg, Tom Neal, Rob Leaf & Bernice Huffman

PADD – Robert Gifford

Wellness Committee – Monty Stoddard, Terry Morris & Sharon Sandberg    

Item #11 - Appoint Representatives - Sandberg made the motion to approve the following list.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes

County Safety Director – Tom Neal

Aging Office of Western Nebraska – Sharon Sandberg, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Office of Aging Advisory Board – Sandy Beals

Region One Behavioral Health Authority – Robert Post, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Region One Office of Human Development & Panhandle Development Disabilities Serv., Inc – Robert Gifford

Public Health District – Robert Gifford

Emergency Management Board – Robert Gifford, Proxy will be either of the other two commissioners

Safety Committee – Sharon Sandberg

NIRMA Contact Person – Lisa Cross

Personnel Policy Committee – Jennifer Reinninger, Sharon Sandberg, Tom Neal, Rob Leaf & Bernice Huffman

PADD – Robert Gifford

Wellness Committee – Monty Stoddard, Terry Morris & Sharon Sandberg  

Item #12 – Appoint Individual to Extension Board – Gifford made a motion to re-appoint Laura Baker to the Extension Board.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #13 – Re-appoint Scotts Bluff County Attorney as Deputy Attorney for Banner County for purposes of handling arraignments and inheritance tax – Sandberg made the motion to re-appoint Scotts Bluff County Attorney as Deputy Attorney for Banner County for purposes of handling arraignments and inheritance tax.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #14 – Designate official County newspaper – Post made the motion to designate the Star Herald as the official County newspaper.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, no; Sandberg, yes  

Item #15 – Appoint a depository bank – Gifford made the motion to accept and sign Resolution 20-1 appointing Banner Capital Bank as the depository bank.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes   Break from 10:20 – 10:30  

Item #24 – Special hearing to hear comments on the question of electing County Surveyor – 10:30   Open special hearing to hear comments.   Carl Gilbert, County Surveyor, brought maps to show the process he does when marking the corners.  After discussion, it was decided to leave things as is.  The position will remain an elected position.  

Item #16 – Set indigent burial cost limit – Sandberg made a motion to set the indigent burial cost limit at $1500.00.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #17 – Set interest on registered warrants – Gifford made a motion to accept and sign Resolution 20-2 setting interest on registered warrants at .5%.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #18 – Set method of reasonable advance notice for meetings – Sandberg made the motion to publish notice in the Star Herald and post notices at the Banner County Courthouse, Banner County Post Office and the Banner County School.   

Item #19 – Authorize Treasurer to invest county funds – Gifford made the motion to approve and sign Resolution 20-3 allowing the Treasurer to invest county funds.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #20 – Set meeting dates for 2020 – Sandberg made the motion to set the meeting dates for 2020 on the first and third Tuesday of each month.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

Item #21 – Set holidays to observed in 2020 – Sandberg made a motion to observe the paid holidays listed below with the exception of Good Friday which is optional but without pay.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

New Year’s Day                                    January 1st

Martin Luther King, Jr Day                   January 20th

Presidents’ Day                                     February 17th

Good Friday                                          April 10th optional but without pay

Arbor Day                                             April 24th

Memorial Day                                       May 25th

Independence Day                              July 3rd

Labor Day                                             September 7th

Columbus Day                                      October 12th

Veterans’ Day                                       November 11th

Thanksgiving                                        November 26th & 27th

Christmas Eve                                      December 24th

Christmas Day                                      December 25th

New Year’s Day of 2021                      January 1st  

Item #22 – Set machine hire rates – Post made a motion to leave the rates the same as 2019.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.   A complete list of the rates is available at the Treasurer’s Office.   

Item # 23 – Set rates for gravel, hardpan/dirt and mileage - Post made a motion to leave the rates the same as 2019.  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.   A complete list of the rates is available at the Treasurer’s Office.   

Item #25 – Discussion and possible action on the signature of the sheriff’s pickups loan papers – Gifford made a motion to sign the loan for $23,984.00 with Banner Capital Bank and to authorize both Robert Post and Robert Gifford to sign.  Second by Sandberg.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes  

COMMITTEE REPORTS  

Robert Post, Chairman, said that they have been working on grants for the broadband but haven’t received any so far.  At this point, they are at a stand still but will continue to work on things.  

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT   Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent, said he received an email from FEMA confirming that Banner County will be receiving money for the disaster relief.  Part of the projects are still in the works, but part of them are finished and already approved.  Tom said the freightliner is broke down and they are looking at all the options to decide what the best route to fix it will be.  The new 30 hours of instruction on the CDL licensing might be set back due to the lack of places to get the instruction.  The road department will be going January 15, 2020 to Alliance for a Sign and Bridge class.  

COUNTY ATTORNEY   Mark Kovarik, County Attorney, said that the Planning and Zoning meeting will be on January 21st @ 6:30.  Mark has been working on resolving some of the cases in District Court.  

TREASURER   The Pledge Collateral and Semi- Annual Report was presented.  

CLERK   Lisa Cross, Clerk, has been getting ready to do W-2’s & 1099’s.  She will be doing some training on Election next week.  The toilet in the women’s restroom had to be replaced.  

SHERIFF   Stan McKnight, Banner County Sheriff, spoke about the current drone situation.     

No other reports.    

Gifford made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 12:12 p.m.  Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Post, yes; Gifford, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on January 21, 2020, or at the call of the clerk.  A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.                                                                

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                                            

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA